February 7, 2026

Life tilted on its axis

That old adage about never being too complacent held true for me recently because life certainly chucked a curved ball in our direction towards the end of last year, which completely upended our lives. With no warning at all our lives changed, and there's no going back. There's only the fog of uncertainty as we navigate the way forward.


Although for completely different reasons this 360 degree turnaround has also been the equally unexpected fate of several friends. This could be sheer coincidence, an indication of our ages, or an example in miniature of the chaotic state of the wider world where the full force of climate change fury is being felt across the country, while elsewhere in the world humanity is hellbent on waging war and destruction causing devastation and grief. It all makes a complete mockery of the ‘Peace on Earth and Goodwill towards Men’ that is a feature of the Christian calendar during December/January in many parts of the globe. As we prepared to wave goodbye to 2025 it’s a celebration that rang very hollow for many people  – and is continuing to do so heading into 2026. All that annual optimism that normally surrounds the start of a new year also looked and felt a bit desperate.


But despite the challenges there's no option but to keep on keeping on, so that’s what we’re doing. But even the vegetable garden has come out in sympathy and let us down this year. Like many others we know, our tomato harvest has been pathetic. In truth it's lmost non-existent. As it's likely to do with each year now, climate again played its part. A cold spring that unexpectedly reversed back to winter for a week in October wrecked many of the tomato plants John had grown from seed. They simply couldn’t cope. As a result all but one plant turned up their toes.  So did the cucumbers, capsicums, and one of the established blackcurrant bushes. Raspberries are also limping along. I’m picking enough for a bowlful each for dessert each evening, but the freezer certainly won’t be receiving too many of this season’s crop. There aren’t a lot of boysenberries in there either this time. Beating the blackbirds and starlings is always an uphill battle but even getting up ludicrously early didn't really help as the crop wasn’t as prolific as usual. So far therefore we can anticipate pumpkins since they are producing well, but unless we get some serious rain they too will struggle. Rain is supposedly coming tomorrow but as it’s been forecast before to no avail, I’m not holding my breath.

 

 The photo showing a glassbowl full of berries therefore, isn't really an accurate representation of this year's harvest!

 

 


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